[soccermom67]

I love my Maytag - it's 18 years old and this is the first trouble I've had with it. For a few months now, when I push the start button, it makes almost a grinding noise for a few seconds before it decides to take off. Coincidentally, just in the last week, it has started taking longer to dry things and I have to wait between loads for it to cool down, rest, or whatever...I can't say. No other funny noises while it runs. PLEASE ADVISE. I have no fear of attempting a repair on my own if I know what to look for.....but I have to pay for a new furnace this week and need an inexpensive dryer fix. Thanks,

Thrifty Soccermom67

[bettyboop]

Have you cleaned the lint out of the dryer every 2 or3 yrs? Does the motor make a buzzing sound when you push the start button? When I open a maytag dryer, over 3-4 yrs old there's a sizeable lint build up, and the whole dryer must be cleaned throughly. If left in an uncleaned condition, the motor gets real hot and in time burns out. It sounds like yours is overheating and tripping the thermal breaker in side the motor, and cools down and starts again.I would open and clean everything thoroughly, maybe the motor still has some life in it.Just my opinion. Bettyboop

[soccermom67]

I will give the cleaning out a try. Is there any trick to getting the dryer open? Does it open from the front or back?

[eric shubert]

maytags should have two screws on the very bottom of the front panel

[soccermom67]

How do I get the lint filter housing out of the way?

[eric shubert]

should be some 1/4" screws holding it to the housing. if you go and put your model number in this web site and look at the tumbler section it might help